BARCELONA — Spanish firefighters discovered two bodies while battling wildfires in the northeastern region of Catalonia, where extreme heat and dry conditions have fueled a growing emergency. The region remains under severe strain from an intense heatwave that has broken temperature records and heightened the risk of wildfires.
Authorities in Catalonia imposed home confinement orders on approximately 14,000 residents on July 1 after two wildfires ignited nearly simultaneously in the province of Lerida. One of the fires, near the city of Cosco, led to the grim discovery of two deceased individuals, according to the region’s fire and emergency services.
Although the cause of the fires remains under investigation, emergency officials said that a combination of scorching temperatures, parched terrain, and wind gusts triggered by recent storms have significantly intensified the flames. Catalonia’s Regional President Salvador Illa expressed sorrow following the tragedy. In a social media statement, he said he was deeply dismayed to learn of the two fatalities.
Earlier on the same day, local police reported the death of a two-year-old child who was left inside a parked car for several hours under direct sunlight. The incident occurred amid record-breaking heat, with temperatures in many areas soaring past 40 degrees Celsius.
Tragedy has also struck in other parts of the country. On June 28, two men died while performing road work in Cordoba and Barcelona, with authorities attributing both deaths to suspected heatstroke.
Meteorologists have confirmed that this heatwave has set multiple records for the month of June. Scientists warn that such extreme weather events, including intense heatwaves and violent storms, are becoming more frequent and severe due to human-induced climate change.
European health officials continue to issue public warnings, particularly urging vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with health conditions to take extra precautions. Previous heatwaves across Europe have resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, reinforcing concerns about the growing threat posed by what experts describe as a “silent killer.”